Monthly Archives: July 2015

We just returned home after an amazing whirlwind summer road trip. We stayed in at least 5 different states and passed through lots more.

One of my favorite stops was New Orleans. I was not even sure what I wanted to see or do there. I was just excited to see a new city and finally visit my brother and his wife who have lived in central city, New Orleans for several years now. The only things on my to-do list were: beignets, bookstores and William Faulkner things. We got to see way more than that, but for now I am going to share my literary New Orleans experience.

Spotted in the French Quarter, early on a Sunday morning.

The first bookstore we stopped at was a small shop called Maple Street Book Shop. It apparently used to be separated into two shops next door to each other, one with new books and one with used books. It is now one shop with new & used books.The shop was charming and the owner was friendly. They had a little bit of everything. I especially liked their great selection of books about Louisiana and New Orleans. I picked up a new printing of a Creole cookbook that was first published in 1885.

I didn’t snap a photo at the shop, but I did pick up a postcard that gives you a glimpse of it back when it opened (1964 according to the postcard.) I look forward to visiting again!

Maple Street Book Shop, 7523 Maple St, New Orleans

I was looking forward to checking out The Faulkner House where William Faulkner lived and wrote his first novel in 1925. The first time I stopped by it was closed. I wasn’t the only one who was disappointed!

Faulkner House Books, Pirates Alley.

Outside Faulkner House Books, July 5, 2015.

When I stopped back through on our road trip back home, they were open!

Faulkner House Books

We arrived close to closing time, so we didn’t spend a lot of time in the shop. I did buy an interesting looking book by Louisiana author Robert Tallant. The woman working was kind and put up with our last minute visit. She even gave my kids a book and tolerated our questions about the building’s history. It is a nice, cozy shop

Faulkner House Books!

Bookstore scores!

We stopped in the lobby at Hotel Monteleone on our first day in the city. This historic hotel was where many famous authors including Tennessee Williams, William Faulker and Truman Capote stayed at. On our second stop through the city, we decided to stay at the hotel. We got a room on the supposedly haunted 14th (13th) floor. No ghost sightings, but we sure did enjoy our stay at this beautiful gem of a hotel!

Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans.

Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone

And finally, a couple of photos I snapped at La Divina Gelateria in the French quarter. I didn’t know the poet of the day. Do you?

La Divina Cafe & Gelateria, New Orleans.

La Divina Cafe & Gelateria, New Orleans.

I can’t wait to go back and explore this city! I know that I barely scratched the surface of all of the literary goodness New Orleans has to offer. If you have suggestions for our next trip, please leave a comment! We would especially love to hear about your favorite New Orleans book stores!